Mark Zuckerberg’s vision for the metaverse is off to an abysmal start

In the physical world, cities are shaped by innumerable forces. Some are desirable, designed in conversation with local communities. Others are not, subverting building regulations for financial gain.

By contrast, space in the metaverse—the version of the internet comprising immersive games and other virtual reality environments—has so far been smooth, clean, and very ordinary. This is despite its links to emerging “disruptive” technologies, such as cryptocurrencies.Our research shows that while designing virtual worlds gives people a creative voice, it can also reveal the infinitely more complex social, societal, and historical ways by which physical places are formed.

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